Bone, Vol. 4: The Dragonslayer

by Jeff Smith

Paperback, 2006

Status

Available

Call number

741.5973

Publication

Graphix (2006), Edition: First Paperback Edition, 176 pages

Description

The adventure starts when cousins Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone are run out of Boneville and later get separated and lost in the wilderness, meeting monsters and making friends as they attempt to return home.

User reviews

LibraryThing member paradoxosalpha

Phoney Bone is the primary actor in this segment of the Bone story, although for all his scheming, he is out of his depth, as usual. It is unclear until the end of the volume, whether he is accidentally helping the heroes, or unwittingly harming them. Thorn advances toward maturity and

purposefulness, and not a minute too soon. On the whole, this stretch is somewhat tense and plot-heavy.

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LibraryThing member krau0098

This is the 4th book in the nine book Bone graphic novel series by Jeff Smith. It was a spectacular addition to the series and probably the darkest book yet. The story really deepens and the danger for our beloved characters really takes on an urgency.

Smiley Bone and Phoney Bone are competing in

sales at the inn to see if they can pay of their debt; Phoney Bone has everyone convinced he is a dragon slayer which is causing problems. Meanwhile Granny, Thorne, and Fone Phone have started a journey to leave the valley and get Thorne to safety. When they are attacked by the rat creatures on their journey things take a turn for the worse. Ends up Thorne has more truth to learn about her identity and the valley has worse enemies than rat creatures to worry about.

Thorne goes through some rough times in this book. It is a dark book for her. This is the first book where there is more violence, blood, and despair present throughout the story. That is not to say everything is bleak; there are some pretty funny scenes with Phoney Bone, Smiley Bone, and the Dragon. Still it is becoming clear that the residents of the valley are facing a peril worse than they ever could have imagined.

As with previous books the plot is well developed and the story continues to deepen. There is humor throughout and the drawing continues to be wonderful. This book was a bit scarier than some of the previous ones so take caution if reading this with young children.

Overall a great addition to the series. Darker than previous books, but still some humor throughout. The story expands and is wonderfully told. I can't wait to read book 5, Rock Jaw, Master of the Eastern Border. I am absolutely loving this series.

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LibraryThing member grunin

I had no idea things were going to get this deep, and I now understand why this series is considered so great.

This volume is where things start to get dark. I won't say more to avoid spoiling it for you.

LibraryThing member boaz9

Beautiful color drawings. Thorn, her grandma and fone bone, move back to Barrelhaven.

LibraryThing member nesum

Bone continues to move from a primarily humorous book to something a bit darker with this collection. Not that this one isn't funny (the dragon trap was absolutely hysterical), but we are gradually seeing that the rat creatures are not simply inept things in the forest. At the same time, the

introducing the rat creature cub makes them more, er, human, I guess.

Jeff Smith has created something truly amazing here. On the surface, it seems like some sort of cute children's book. Certainly it can be read on that level. At the same time, his world is complete and self-supporting, and his characters complete. The danger is real, but the humor is attractive. I read these because I love the world. I care about the people who inhabit this place. The plot is pretty good, as well.

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LibraryThing member savageknight

Volume 4 of this series is probably not the best introduction for me since there's already been quite the history to these characters. For those who've been following, I'm sure all the discoveries about Thorn and Grandma Ben were exciting as was the further development of the evil Locusts. For me,

it was a simple tale in a typical kind of DnD adventure. Nothing new, just a simple adventure. I initially thought to make my kids read it, but after an early scene with the severing of the Rat Creature King's arm, I kind of changed my mind. Not as young-kid-friendly as I expected.

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LibraryThing member sholt2001

This is a perfect blend of the humor of the earlier books and the darkness and depth of the latter.

LibraryThing member peachface101

This book was fantastic! If you have not read this book yet, you have to.

LibraryThing member lithicbee

Phoney Bone takes over Barrelhaven, and only Lucius seems to realize that Phoney does not have the best interests of the citizens at heart. Grandma Ben reveals secrets to Thorn and Fone Bone. Thorn may be losing her mind. And Smiley Bone adopts a very cute rat creature cub. All as war breaks out

between the rat creatures/Hooded One and the dragons, with the people of the valley caught in between. This kids' series takes a darker, more violent turn in this fourth volume but continues to be excellent.

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LibraryThing member JenJ.

Phoney Bone continues to make poor choices and to lead the townspeople in dangerous directions all in the name of leaving for Boneville with all the valuables from the town. Unfortunately (Fortunately?) a few things get in Phoney's way including the adorable baby rat creature that Fone and Smiley

find and decide needs to be returned to its people.

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LibraryThing member Shawty1337

I've seen better then this i've read the other books they were a bit better then this one.

LibraryThing member SoulFlower1981

This is getting near the point of the series that would be considered the "MIDDLE", which in some series we know is when the story detours or the writer has to try to draw out story because they do not want to reveal everything yet. In some realms you can tell that this is a volume full of that

"trying to draw it out", but it never takes away from the overall feel of the franchise. There are moments that are funny, sweet, and some that are even terrifying. Yes I said terrifying. This is one of the first graphic novels where there were moments I felt fear because I found myself caring about the characters and honestly feeling that they may be in harms way. It is rare for me to be drawn into a series this much, so I know that Jeff Smith has continued to do something right with this series. It makes a lot of sense why this is a beloved comic book series for many people. This particular volume really plays up the personalities of specific characters in a comedic tone. It also creates tension as the plot moves forward in directions that we may not have seen. Overall if you have read the other books in the series you will not be disappointed by this one because it keeps the momentum going. This book also reveals enough of the overall plot to be fine for a first time Bone reader, though I would still recommend reading from the first volume. I am definitely pleased that I have started reading this series and I am well into the next volume, so shortly I will be reviewing that as well.

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LibraryThing member bobbybslax

Not as immediately engaging as the last volume, but still good. Phoney Bone's schemes are never that interesting to me; I'm just waiting for him to screw up, and maybe become a little humbled. He surely deserves it.

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